FINANCE ministers from the UN security council’s 15 member states met last night to adopt a resolution aimed at disrupting the revenue that Isis gets from selling oil and antiquities.

 

The proposed resolution elevates Isis to the same level as al-Qaida, reflecting its split from al-Qaida and the growing threat it poses.

 

US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, who chaired the meeting, said earlier this month that disrupting the group’s finances and cutting it off from the international financial system “are critical to effectively combating this violent terrorist group.”

 

US ambassador Samantha Power that the meeting offered an unprecedented chance to bring together people with the technical abilities to track and cut off funds to starve Isis of resources. 

 

But the US politicians failed to make any reference to the role of US allies Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar in financing and arming Isis.